Official Martin Scorsese Statement On Cecchi Gori Pictures Lawsuit

On Wednesday news broke that Oscar winning director Martin Scorsese was being sued by Cecchi Gori Pictures for allegedly choosing to direct another film, THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, over their movie, SILENCE. They claim that money was spent on the film with the assumption that Scorsese would helm it after he was finished with HUGO.

This morning we received this email from his public-relations firm to refute the lawsuit.

Here is the following statement from Martin Scorsese’s representatives:

“It is shocking to us that the lawyers for Cecchi Gori Pictures would file a suit pursuing such absurd claims considering the amicable working relationship existing between Martin Scorsese and the principals of Cecchi Gori Pictures.The claims asserted are completely contradicted by, inconsistent with, and contrary to the express terms of an agreement entered into by the parties last year.

The lawsuit filing on the eve of Mr. Scorsese starting another picture has all the earmarks of a media stunt.

Mr. Scorsese is confident that he will prevail in court should Cecchi Gori Pictures actually pursue this meritless action.”

In THE WOLF OF WALL STREET actor Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jordan Belfort, a Long Island penny stockbroker who served 20 months in prison for refusing to cooperate in a massive 1990s securities fraud case that involved widespread corruption on Wall Street and in the corporate banking world, including mob infiltration. The film is from Appian Way, Sikelia Productions, Red Granite Pictures and EMJAG Productions. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Jon Favreau, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner and Jean Dujardin.